Number
240407
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
001699, 010631, 180339, 181772
Sponsor
ALD. BURGELIS, CHAMBERS, STAMPER, MOORE, COGGS, PEREZ, WESTMORELAND, ZAMARRIPA, DIMITRIJEVIC, BAUMAN, TAYLOR, AND BROWER
Title
Substitute resolution relating to the adoption of a new City flag.
Analysis
This resolution creates a 9-member Milwaukee City Flag Task Force for the purpose of managing a campaign to solicit designs for a new official City of Milwaukee flag and providing a ranked list of potential flag designs to the City Clerk.
The Task Force shall consist of:
1. Three members appointed by the Mayor.
2. Three members appointed by the Common Council President.
3. Three members appointed by the Chair of the Milwaukee Arts Board.
Body
Whereas, In 2001, Common Council Files 001699 and 010631 established and amended a flag design competition which did not result in the selection of a winning design; and
Whereas, Common Council File 180339, adopted July 31, 2018, directed the Milwaukee Arts Board to develop a process to determine whether a new flag is necessary, establish and implement a process for the development and adoption or a new official flag, and develop an estimate of the cost of adopting a new official flag; and
Whereas, On September 25, 2018, the Milwaukee Arts Board determined that a new flag was necessary; and
Whereas, On November 13, 2018, the Milwaukee Arts Board determined that the process for considering, reviewing and recommending design for a new official City flag should be to issue a Request for Qualifications or a Request for Proposals; and
Whereas, Common Council File Number 181772, a resolution directing the City Clerk to issue a Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposals for designing and adopting a new official City flag, was adopted on May 7, 2019; and
Whereas, The City received no responses to the 2019 RFP; and
Whereas, In 2024, the Common Council considered Robert Lenz’s winning design from the 2016 People’s Flag competition, “Sunrise Over the Lake,” as the new official City of Milwaukee flag; and
Whereas, January 31, 2026 will commemorate the 180th anniversary of the City of Milwaukee’s incorporation; and
Whereas, The Mayor is promoting a campaign to solicit designs for a new official flag; and
Whereas, Bringing together individuals with diverse skill sets and perspectives will enhance all aspects of the flag design campaign; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Milwaukee City Flag Task Force is created consisting of:
1. Three members appointed by the Mayor.
2. Three members appointed by the Common Council President.
3. Three members appointed by the Chair of the Milwaukee Arts Board.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Mayor shall designate the Chair of the Task Force from among the members; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Task Force is charged with managing the flag design campaign and providing recommendations to the City Clerk regarding the adoption of a design for a new official flag; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Task Force shall collaborate with the Department of Administration - ITMD and the Library to facilitate in-person and online submission of flag designs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the recommendations from the Task Force shall include up to 10 designs reviewed and ranked using current vexillogical standards, with consideration given to local symbolism; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall provide staff support to the Task Force; and be it
Further Resolved, That all City departments are directed to support and cooperate with the work of the Task Force; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the City Clerk within 4 months of the date of adoption of this resolution; and, be it
Further Resolved, That upon the City Clerk’s receipt of the Task Force report, the Task Force shall be dissolved; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council is urged to take action on the recommendations of the Task Force by December 31, 2025 in order to have the adoption of the new flag coincide with the City’s 180th anniversary.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB179882-12
Kathleen Brengosz
6/17/2025